You Need To Be Humbled By Your Failures To Succeed

I set up my camera, put on my mic, and worked for hours over a couple of days, producing cooking content that many have been waiting for.

I was excited and proud of myself for finally getting the hang of the setup. I was showing my videos, and then my heart sank as I realized I had made a great mistake.

He said to me, “You forgot to connect the wire for your camera audio.”

I walked away frustrated as I had to take some time to gather my anger at myself and understand what to do.

The next day I woke up to find that was the lesson I needed.

It was the experience that made me understand that failure teaches us the details. The pieces that can’t be learned from just imagining how things are supposed to go are far more valuable than planning to perfection.

It’s easy to consider the practice as doing everything right. It’s necessary to take the full experience and own it.

If you continue thinking “practice makes perfection” is the only way, you will quickly be humbled by what you aren’t doing.

That day, I found that I had the full experience to succeed.

What I did get out of the experience—

More confidence in front of the camera,

a better understanding of working with new tech gear (learning how to work with it),

a clearer idea of knowing what the shot should look like,

how to make set-up faster and more efficient next time,

And, how to connect the wire for camera audio. (Can’t forget that part!)

I got the details. I got the lessons that build my character not just my ego.

That small, 3-inch wire was the failure that allowed me to see just how much I got in return instead of how much content I lost that day.

As you sit here reading this thinking back on the failures that have been holding you back or allowing you to let yourself procrastinate until you are ready, I hope you find that it’s time to fail.

The thing you are afraid of is the greatest teacher for learning all the details you need for what you are going to do next.

Next time you find yourself in the midst of frustration, consider what feedback you are receiving and why it just might be necessary for your greatness.

In abundance and energy to innovate the world,

Ashton Brooke